Orders, Decorations and Medals

An immediate M.M. awarded for the fighting around the village of Perrarese, on the Gothic Line, to Havildar Sher Mulk, 11th Sikhs

MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. (5754 Hay., Sikh R.) nearly extremely fine

M.M., London Gazette, 8th March, 1945: 'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' The following information was extracted from official sources: 'On the night of 1 lth/12th September, 1944, Havildar Sher Mulk was Platoon Havildar on the left hand platoon of the company which attacked Frarese ... During the whole action which consisted of close fighting around the village for three and a half hours, he showed great powers of leadership, encouraged his men and personally fired the platoon Piat at point blank range into houses, under heavy fire.On 14th September, 1944 a fighting patrol attempted to force an entry into Frarese. After suffering and inflicting casualties the patrol was withdrawn and found that an N.C.O. was missing. Havildar Sher Mulk, with another Sepoy, volunteered to go forward to get the missing N.C.O. Very heavy enemy shell and mortar fire was falling. He was unable to find the missing N.C.O. but remained searching for half an hour before returning...'

Sher Mulk was originally recommended for an immediate award of the I.D.S.M. but this was down graded to an immediate M.M. by Maj-General A.W.Y. Holworthy, commanding 4th Indian Division. Havildar Sher Mulk was serving with the 4th Battalion of the 11th Sikh Regiment during the above related action on the Gothic Line, it forming part of the 4th Indian Division, 5 Corps.

39 M.M.'s to the 11th Sikh Regiment, 1939-45.